Advertise

Social Media

Vigil for victory speech shooting victim

Hundreds of Montrealers gathered Wednesday evening to pay homage to the man shot and killed during Pauline Marois's victory speech.

Those who gathered said political allegiances did not matter. What did, was denouncing the violent act.

"We don't need to be close friends or close family with the victim. It's just that it hit us, it hit us as a people," said Daniella Johnson, a Parti Quebecois supporter who was inside Metropolis when the murder happened.

A gunman was able to get inside the Metropolis theatre Tuesday evening and fire one shot from an assault rifle.

That bullet killed 48-year-old Denis Blanchette and injured Dave Courage, both audio technicians working at the club.

Denis Dinelle is related to Blanchette, and said "it's such a big loss. This is just so hard."

Blanchette, 48, leaves behind a four-year-old daughter.

He also leaves behind many people who will miss his hard-working, generous nature.

The fact that he was killed during a political rally, just metres from the Premier-designate, surprised Sylvain D'Amours.

"There was no security in the back [of the club]," said D'Amours. "You can't have an election and not have security in the back."

Many people felt the need to stand in public and hope that Tuesday's attack was not about politics, but instead just an isolated incident.